Washington DC

Best of DC Plus US Capitol and National Archives Reserved Entry

Badge of ExcellenceWashington, United States

From US$129.00

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Free cancellation
Up to 24 hours in advance.
Washington DC Tours
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Unique Experiences
  • 8 hours 30 minutes
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Overview

Beat the long entrance lines and experience some of the most popular attractions in Washington, DC like an insider on this full-day sightseeing tour. Enjoy priority entry into the United States Capitol Building, the home of Congress. Then see the city’s most famous landmarks and monuments, like the White House, the Lincoln Memorial and more. End your tour with a visit to the National Archives Building, where the original Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution are on display.
  • Enjoy reserved, priority entrance to two of Washington DC's most sought-after attractions
  • See Washington DC’s major sites on a coach tour with guided walks for photo opportunities
  • Enjoy a leisurely cruise down the Potomac River (mid-March to mid-October)

Why Travelers Choose This Tour

VIP-style entry to the US Capitol and National Archives makes this the ideal tour for politics and history buffs.

What's Included

  • Luxury Climate-Controlled Tour Bus
  • Tickets to the National Archives Building
  • Reserved Entry to the U.S. Capitol Building
  • Boat Cruise on the Potomac River (Seasonal: April 1 to October 15)
  • English-Speaking Live Tour Guide (on and off the bus)
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Lunch

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

  • 68 First St SE
    68 First St SE, Washington, DC 20004, USA

    Your VIP experience begins at Neptune Fountain in front of the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building. Address: 68 First St SE, Washington, DC 20004

Start time

08:30 AM

End point

  • National Archives Museum
    701 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20408, USA

    End of tour

What To Expect

Meet the guide and the rest of the tour group at Neptune Fountain to begin this full-day tour with admission to the US Capitol Building, visits to top DC memorials and access to the a National Archives tour - a best of DC tour rolled into one.

Enjoy reserved entry into the United States Capitol Building for a guided walking tour of this historic building, home to the Senate and the House of Representatives. Watch a film on the history of government in the US, then continue exploring the building to learn about the country’s legislature. Along the way, see the Crypt, the large circular area on the first floor that supports the Rotunda, as well as National Statuary Hall, a chamber devoted to sculptures of prominent Americans and more.

Then return to the shuttle to look around and through the nation’s monuments and memorials. See top sites in DC with stops at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial, the White House, National World War II Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial. Along the way, hear the historic stories and facts that make the city of Washington, DC one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States.

This tour also features a scenic, seasonal boat cruise along the Potomac River (mid-March to mid-October only).

A choice of lunch options are available at in Georgetown.

At the end of the tour, gain priority entrance into the National Archives Building for an up-close look at the original Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution. These historic documents are housed in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom. Also, enjoy access to the Public Vaults, a permanent exhibit gallery with fascinating original records, like Abraham Lincoln's telegrams to his generals, and much more.

The tour concludes at the National Archives Building.

U.S. Capitol

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

White House

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

National World War II Memorial

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial (Pass By)

Jefferson Memorial

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Georgetown

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Lincoln Memorial

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Korean War Veterans Memorial

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

The National Archives Museum

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Walking is involved to get an up-close look at the monuments (comfortable shoes are recommended)
  • Strollers may not be accommodated on tour
  • Security restrictions at the US Capitol and National Archives Buildings prevent any food or drinks being brought through security
  • Service animals allowed
  • Near public transportation
  • During peak season, security lines are long, and as such, arriving ahead of time is highly encouraged
  • Infants must sit on laps
  • Tour Departure Times Are Subject to Change Due to Local Traffic Conditions
  • Please Arrive at the Meeting Point No Later Than 8:15 AM For Check-In
  • No food allowed on buses (snacks are fine!)
  • Most travelers can participate
  • The tour price includes a boat cruise, and tourists will have the opportunity to purchase lunch at one of several waterfront restaurants in the summer
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
  • This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

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Traveler Tips

It is expensive it is eight hours but you get what you paid for.
If you take this tour note the night tour of the memorials is not needed.

Reviews

4.5
1,829 reviews
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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Reviews by Viator travelers.
Showing 1-10 of 1,829 reviews
DC visit
Scott_O, Sept 2023
My wife and I had a fantastic time. Great value for all. Favorite part was the knowledge of tour guides. Nick was great and would recommend this tour to all.
Great highlights of DC with knowledgeable our guide Nick
Julie_T, Sept 2023
Nick was a very knowledgeable, funny and energetic guide for our best of DC tour. He did apologize for being late and rearranged the activities so we got everything in. He was also very helpful at the Vietnam memorial in helping us in finding a name on the wall.
Great Experience
Jennifer_H, Sept 2023
We had a great time. Our tour guide, Nick, was great. He is a native to D.C. and we learned so much. We also had an awesome driver, Ali.
First Trip To Washington
Paul, Sept 2023
It hit all the right points. Well organised, enough time at each destination, good explanations from guide. Perfect introduction to the main Washington sights.
Really good tour!
Ron_J, Sept 2023
FDR Memorial, Potomac boat cruise and Capital Tour. Nick was entertaining and very knowledgeable. Bus was comfortable and the driver very accommodating.
Best day ever
Kim_C, Sept 2023
Evan was incredible and knowledgeable about so much history. Perfect amount of time at each stop. Great overview of the DC attractions. Great value. Our buddy driver Maggie did a great job with traffic.
Best tour ever
Brooke_H, Sept 2023
Our tour guide Deon was absolutely amazing. He was very knowledgeable and also very friendly! We would highly recommend this tour and especially Deon for anyone!
Capital
Cynthia_K, Sept 2023
The Capital tour - the rotunda was spectacular, seeing the original entrance to the capital but most of all the tour guide stories.
Great tour
Cheryl_B, Sept 2023
FDR memorial was great. Loved the Capitol tour and boat ride. Our guide, Evan was extremely knowledgeable.
Pretty effing great!
Erin_N, Sept 2023
Our tour guide, Nick, was pretty great! We hit some roadblocks along the way, some literal some figurative...he kept the mood light and offered a great experience! Thank you!
Average
Vijish_V, Sept 2023
Capital Visit was good and well guided by the Capital team (non DC tour guide). Would have been better if the tour guide was more friendly.
Response from Host, Sept 2023
Thank you for taking the time to provide us with your feedback. We are sorry that you felt that the tour wasn't friendly enough. We would like to get some additional information from you regarding your tour and tour guide. Can you please contact us at 202-733-7376 to discuss in further detail?
Great experience but toooooo long
Nathalie_R, Sept 2023
The guide was very nice. He knew the history very well 41 people on the bus, no acces to the White House sooooo far You can go by yourself it wil be better The Potomac was great, the capitol too but I really want to see the chamber of the congrès. After 5 hours, II was enough for me because to much memorials
Excellent full-day tour
Gayle_S, Sept 2023
Even though the heat was awful, the tour was great. The guide, Evan, was very knowledgable, supportive of each person on the tour, and professional. The bus (new, clean, & comfortable) was a welcome reprieve from the 97 degree temperature. I highly recommend this full-day tour. Please note, however, that some tourists thought lunch was provided -- it is not.
Fantastic tour! Great Value
Linda_K, Sept 2023
This was a wonderful tour. Our guide was informative, funny, and very entertaining. We had a great experience, hit all the monuments on time without feeling rushed. Very comfortable bus, plenty of time to take photos at every stop.
One of the best tours
Dawn_K, Aug 2023
The tour guide knew so much about Washington DC and all of the monuments that we visited. One of the best tour guides I’ve ever had!
A must do tour to see and learn our history
caroline_c, Aug 2023
Having my wife go to the veitnam wall to find her brothers name something she wanted to do for ever secound going to the Korean memorial where my father was at very seldom talked about it ptsd everything else was great tour guy nick knew his stuff and had a lot of knowledge and dad's jokes
Worth Every Penny!!!
Frederick_M, Aug 2023
Our window of time to spend in Washington D.C. was short, so the 8.5 hour tour was perfect. Be advised there is much walking and many steps involved so mobility is important. Our guide, Nick, was fantastic! His historical information and his concise tour directions were spot on. This tour was worth every penny to us.
It was great!
Alfredo_N, Aug 2023
Is it the marines monument, and the capitol, Deavon our guide, was so great an know a lot of history in DC
Great day
Lisa_O, Aug 2023
Great way to see a lot of things in one day. Very organized. The bus was brand new and driver did a great job. Tour guide was very informative. The cruise was a nice break after a few hours of the heat. Neat to see monuments from the Potomac
Best day of the trip
Vicky_A, Aug 2023
Incredible experience, the tour guide was knowledgeable, entertaining and yet always in control. I would go again! Well worth the money
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